Pak arrests 36 Indian fishermen

Islamabad: Pakistani authorities have arrested 36 Indian fishermen and seized 10 boats on charges of illegally fishing in Pak territorial waters. The fishermen were held sometime ago but their arrest was announced today as authorities had to complete their interrogation and verification procedures, said a spokesman for the Maritime Security Agency (MSA).

The fishermen were handed over to Docks Police in Karachi on Wednesday, the spokesman said. "It is the fifth seizure of Indian fishing boats during the last 45 days," he said. Last month, the MSA arrested a total of 94 Indian fishermen and seized 21 boats.

India and Pakistan arrest hundreds of fishermen every year on charges of violating the maritime boundary. Dozens of fishermen have spent years in jails even after completing their prison terms. In recent months, both countries have taken steps to speed up the release of the fishermen.